Public Holidays 2026 in Austria and Germany: How to Plan Long Weekends and Wellness Trips

The year 2026 offers plenty of opportunities for long weekends and relaxing wellness trips in Austria and Germany. By using bridge days—the days between a public holiday and a weekend—you can maximize your free time while saving vacation days.

Extended Weekends 2026 – How to Use Bridge Days

January – Start the Year Relaxed

• New Year’s Day (Thu) → Take Fri off = 4 days free

• Epiphany (Tue) → 1 vacation day = 4 days free

Wellness Idea: Spa resorts, thermal baths, or Alpine wellness retreats.

April – Easter Break & Wellness Escape

• Good Friday to Easter Monday → 4 vacation days = 9 free days

Perfect for: Spa treatments, relaxing wellness hotels, and light outdoor activities.

May – Optimal for Bridge Days

• May 1 (Fri) → automatic long weekend

• Ascension Day (Thu, May 14) → Take Fri = 4 free days

• Whit Monday (May 25) → another long weekend

Wellness Idea: Thermal baths, spa breaks, and relaxing short stays in Austria or Germany.

June – Short Wellness Getaway

• Corpus Christi (Thu, Jun 4) → Take Fri = 4 free days

Ideal for: Lake wellness retreats, spa weekends, or Alpine relaxation.

Summer & Autumn – Use Single Vacation Days

Many summer and autumn holidays fall on weekends, so plan single-day escapes for short wellness breaks.

Christmas & New Year – Maximum Relaxation

• Dec 24, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 → Long holiday with few vacation days

• Perfect for: Thermal baths, spa hotels, and full winter relaxation

How to Save Vacation Days in 2026

• Use bridge days before or after holidays

• Combine multiple holidays for longer breaks

• Consider regional holidays for extra long weekends

• Plan early for popular periods

Internal Linking Ideas:

• Link to articles about “Best Thermal Baths in Austria”

• Link to “Top Wellness Hotels in Germany”

• Link to “How to Plan Long Weekend Getaways Efficiently”

Best Times for a Wellness Trip in 2026

• Spring (April–May): Long weekends, mild weather, spa-friendly

• June: Short wellness escapes before summer crowds

• Winter & New Year: Relaxation, quiet retreats, spa holiday
  
  

With smart planning of public holidays and bridge days in Austria & Germany, you can:

• Maximize free days

• Save vacation days

• Enjoy relaxing wellness trips throughout 2026

Even a few vacation days can create long, rejuvenating breaks, perfect for spa retreats, thermal baths, or Alpine wellness.

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